Isinglass vs Strataglass
Isinglass is the old word, Strataglass is coated clear vinyl that rolls up, and EZ2CY is rigid acrylic that is not sewn.
Send photos, get a quoteIsinglass is an old word for clear boat windows. Today's roll-up panels are press-polished clear vinyl such as Strataglass, which its maker says has a useful marine life of 2 to 5 years with its approved cleaner and polish. EZ2CY is a different system made of rigid acrylic panels that cannot be sewn, with a prorated 5-year limited warranty.
What it is
What clear boat windows are
- Isinglass is the old word, today roll-up panels are press-polished clear vinyl
- Strataglass states a useful marine life of 2 to 5 years with its IMAR care
- EZ2CY panels are rigid acrylic, framed instead of sewn
On the boat
Strataglass and EZ2CY on real boats
Photos from each maker, sewn clear vinyl first, then framed acrylic.
Strataglass
StrataglassCoated press-polished vinyl, 30, 40 or 60 gauge
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Enclosure on a flybridge cruiser -
View from the helm through the curtains -
Sportfish tower enclosures at the dock -
Flybridge enclosure at the marina
Photos from Strataglass
EZ2CY
EZ2CYRigid acrylic panels, framed, not sewn
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Rigid acrylic flybridge enclosure -
Framed acrylic panels on a sport yacht -
Inside a hard enclosure on the water -
Helm view through acrylic panels
Photos from EZ2CY
On the boat
Where clear panels go
- Front curtain 40 gauge, the one you look through
- Side curtains 30 gauge, they flex more
- Aft curtain Coated clear vinyl that rolls up
- Top The frame the curtains zip to
Thickness
Thin, thick or rigid
- 30 gaugeSide curtains that flex more
- 40 gaugeFront curtains
- 60 gauge StrataglassFlybridge and commercial enclosures
- Rigid acrylic, EZ2CYFramed, cannot be sewn at any thickness
Side by side
Three clear materials
Clear vinyl
Press-polished PVC sheet, soft and easily marked when new
Strataglass
Coated press-polished vinyl, useful marine life 2 to 5 years with IMAR care
EZ2CY
Rigid acrylic panels with a prorated 5-year clarity warranty
Up close
Clear panels up close
Panel edge, navy binding, stainless zipper
A sewn clear panel with its binding
Isinglass meaning and what isinglass is
Isinglass was a form of mica, used in thin clear sheets in carriages, lanterns and early cars. The same word also names a gelatin from fish bladders, which has nothing to do with windows. On boats it now just means clear window material, and modern panels are synthetic vinyl.
Eisenglass is a common spelling of the same word, and on a boat both mean clear vinyl windows today.
How long Strataglass lasts
Strataglass states a useful marine life of 2 to 5 years when the vinyl is cleaned and polished with its IMAR cleaner and polish. Its limited warranty runs two years and needs registration within 30 days of installation.
Strataglass asks owners to rinse panels with fresh water after every outing, clean every week or two and polish every one to two months. Windex, Rain-X, Pledge, Plexus, Simple Green and car wax void the warranty.
What EZ2CY is made of
EZ2CY builds enclosures from acrylic, which it says is clearer than glass and cannot be sewn at any thickness, so the panels are framed instead of stitched. It notes acrylic can break if bent past its limit while opening or closing.
Its limited warranty is prorated over five years and covers clarity, stating light transmission will not change by more than 3 percent in five years.
Which gauge goes where
The usual choice is 40 gauge for front curtains, 30 gauge for side curtains that flex more, and 60 gauge Strataglass for flybridge and commercial enclosures. Coated polycarbonate such as Tuffak Marine 5 is another option, and Plaskolite says it can be cut and sewn.
Clear materials compared
| Material | What it is | Sewn | Maker says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clear vinyl | Press-polished PVC sheet | Yes | Soft and easily marked when new |
| Strataglass | Coated press-polished vinyl, 30, 40 or 60 gauge | Yes | Useful marine life 2 to 5 years with IMAR care |
| EZ2CY | Rigid acrylic panels | No, framed | Clarity warranty five years, prorated |
| Tuffak Marine 5 | Hard-coated polycarbonate sheet | Yes | Warranty terms on request |
What we use and why
- Coated clear vinyl for roll-up curtains that must flex
- Heavier gauge up front, where you look through it
- Maker-approved cleaner and polish at fitting, as the warranty asks
Questions
Questions boat owners ask
Is Strataglass the same as isinglass?
No. Isinglass is an old generic word. Strataglass is a brand of coated press-polished clear vinyl sold in 30, 40 and 60 gauge.
Can Strataglass be rolled up?
Yes, it is used for roll-up curtains. EZ2CY notes that any vinyl rolled up damp fogs and needs time in the sun to clear, so tabbing panels open is kinder when you can.
Can I use Windex on isinglass?
Not on Strataglass. Strataglass says Windex, Rain-X, Pledge, Plexus, Simple Green and wash and wax products void its warranty. Use the cleaner your panel maker names.
How long does clear vinyl last in Florida?
Strataglass states 2 to 5 years of useful marine life with its approved care. Other clear vinyls do not publish a figure, so it varies with exposure and cleaning.
Is isinglass the same as eisenglass?
Yes. Eisenglass is a common spelling of isinglass. Both are used for clear boat windows, which today are clear vinyl such as Strataglass.
Next step
Get a quote
Send a photo of your panels. We tell you if they can be cleaned up or need replacing.